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Mito

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description Mito Overview

Mito is a Japanese city and the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, located in the Kanto region on the Honshu island. Historically, it developed as a castle town and became the seat of the Mito branch of the Tokugawa clan, one of the most prominent families during the Edo period. The city is well known for Kairakuen, a large landscape garden constructed in 1842, which is considered one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. Today, it functions as a regional administrative, commercial, and transportation hub.

help Mito FAQ

What is Mito most famous for seeing?

Mito's top attraction is Kairakuen Garden, built in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki and considered one of Japan's Three Great Gardens alongside Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Okayama's Korakuen. It is home to roughly 3,000 plum trees, making the plum blossom festival in late February and March the city's busiest season.

How do I get from Tokyo to Mito?

Mito is the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, about 100 km northeast of Tokyo. You can take a JR Joban Line limited express train (such as the Hitachi) from Ueno Station, which covers the trip in roughly 80 minutes.

Why is Mito connected to Tokugawa Mitsukuni, or 'Mito Komon'?

Mito was the seat of the Mito branch of the Tokugawa clan, and Mitsukuni was a grandson of shogun founder Tokugawa Ieyasu who sponsored the compilation of the Dai Nihon Shi history at the domain's Shokokan academy. He became a household name through the long-running TBS TV drama 'Mito Komon,' which aired from 1969 to 2011 with well over 1,000 episodes.

Is Mito known for any particular food?

Yes, Mito is strongly associated with natto (fermented soybeans), and Ibaraki Prefecture is consistently one of Japan's top natto-producing regions. The area is also known for hoshi-imo, dried sweet potato, a specialty of Ibaraki.

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